part of the reconstruction and development of our country. For, it is only when these ones among us are a natural and ordinary part of us that we can truly lay claim to the status of cherishing all our children equally


At the same time, the South African Schools Act (DoE 1996:4) declares compulsory education and school attendance for all children aged 7 to 16 enrolled in the General Education Band (GET) (Grade one to nine). How, then, teachers feel justified to chase children away on the basis of non- payment of school fees is unthinkable as it is a grave violation of government policies and children's rights. However, what this study reveals is that drop-in centres have established strong links or partnerships with several government departments which benefits orphaned and vulnerable children in many ways. This multi-sectorial collaboration is likely to enhance the sustainability of the drop-in centre as a model of care.


CONCLUSION


Education is a human rights issue and everything possible needs to be done to ensure that all children, irrespective of their circumstances, have opportunities to access education. Drop-in centres reduce the impact of poverty and also provide many children with opportunities to experience education, something that would not be possible in the context of extreme poverty. Another purpose, it seems, is to provide communities with opportunities to contribute to decisions about how affected children should be supported. This is very important as it gives communities ownership of the projects and this has potential for the sustainability of such projects. Linked to this is the opportunity for inter-sectorial collaboration between communities and various government departments. A third is the teaching of life skills to affected children, thus ensuring that remain connected to their communities. The life skills program impacts on the community as well as many community members come to these centres to learn new skills. Indirectly, the interaction helps to dismantle negative attitudes towards those affected and infected with HIV and AIDS. It is critical to challenge and change perceptions in those communities where affected and infected people are stigmatised and shunned.


In communities where there are no orphanages and where western adoption is not an option, the drop-in centre seems to be a sustainable strategy to provide meaningful care for children who would otherwise find themselves on the streets. Since it is a community–based response, it enables communities to take responsibility for the care and support of their members. The drop-in centre has transformed and strengthened the community-based model of care, enhancing children's access to basic services, particularly education, within their communities. It also offers community members a sense of ownership of projects, responsibility, and self-reliance by giving them opportunities to decide how they want to support those members who are vulnerable.


Supporting Vulnerable Children Through Drop-in Centres: A Case Study of Two Rural Communities in KwaZulu-Natal 398


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